Explore Thinking Worlds ^TM, a new learning-based game

Thinking Worlds ^TM is a learning-based game. The authoring engine enables educators and students to create, edit, play and share their own Thinking Worlds ^TM 3D virtual environments in which creators must accomplish learning tasks that are made up of different embedded thinking behaviours. Students of all disciplines can benefit from the game. In particular, GCSE Science students and teachers can use the game as both applications are directly mapped to curriculum objectives.

Plants and Photosynthesis

This Caspian Learning application is mapped to the QCA schema of work ‘Unit 9C: Plants and photosynthesis’.
Students will learn about the following concepts:

• The relationship between photosynthesis and the generation of new biomass.
• Where the raw materials for photosynthesis come from in the environment.
• The role of the roots in photosynthesis.
• The role of the leaf in photosynthesis.
• How chlorophyll is critically involved in photosynthesis.
• How the idea of concept of photosynthesis was generated.

The application contains 17 interactive thinking tasks that engage students in activities directly mapped to curriculum objectives. Students will acquire knowledge about photosynthesis and scientific investigative techniques that led to the generation of the principles of photosynthesis.

• Entering into a giant world where they are able to interrogate insects about biomass.
• Labelling diagrams indicating the raw materials necessary for photosynthesis and the source of these raw materials.
• Carrying out a structured enquiry to determine how various environmental conditions and time of day effect photosynthesis.
• Construction of a presentation to explain the importance of rape seed oil crops.
• Replacing incorrect information about the role of the root in photosynthesis.

Respiration

This Caspian Learning application is mapped to the QCA schema of work ‘Unit 8B: Respiration’. Students will learn about the following concepts (amongst others):

• Energy release in animal and plant cells.
• That the process of respiration is similar across all cells.
• Sources of the ‘raw materials’ for respiration.
• Gather knowledge about experiments that demonstrate the process of respiration.
• How experimental conditions (that cannot be controlled) can be dealt with.

The application contains 20 interactive thinking tasks that engage students in activities directly mapped to curriculum objectives. Students will acquire knowledge about respiration and scientific investigative techniques that can be applied to ‘real life’ situations.

• Students will gather knowledge from characters about the bodies need for food and how different foods provide different energy sources. In this task the student will also explore the process of digestion.
• Miniaturized and surfing around an imaginary capillary network the student will label a diagram of the respiratory system and learn facts about oxygenated blood.
• Help a doctor in the preparation of his presentation by correctly replacing false facts and ordering the information.
• The student enters the chest cavity and amongst other characters speaks to a cigarette to discover come of the causes of lung disease and must then use this information to correctly populate a table.
• Comprehension exercises are used to help the student understand the key principles of aerobic and anaerobic respiration and how they differ.

 Click here to access the Thinking Worlds ^TM games